There are always fish of some type on the jetties in the summer, Capt. Erik Rue said. They might be specks, and they might be redfish.
Choosing where to fish on the jetties can be a little baffling to a newcomer, however.
As indicators of where to fish on the jetties, Rue looks for where the water is cleanest, where bait species are most visible and where current is. Fish like currents.
For trout in general, when the tide is falling, he looks extra hard at fishing inside the jetties, unless the tide range is large and the currents very strong.
When the tide is rising, Rue looks more to fish the outside of the jetty walls.
But he notes cautiously that there is no magic formula for exactly where to fish on the rocks.
“You need to move around. It is a lot of trial and error,” Rue said.
Summertime Calcasieu trout fishing isn’t confined to the jetties, however.
The ship channel itself holds fish.
And when it is calm, Rue will often run to the rigs within 15 miles east, west and south of the jetties.
Plastic-tipped jigs are often effective here, but he noted that it is always good to have live bait, as well.
If the water is clean, Rue will also fish the beaches. Plastic works well here, but if the water is a little off, he will fish tightline with mullets for bait.
Occasionally, he will use live shrimp under corks on the beaches.
